Process and apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets



July 27,1926. 1593,782-

W. SHAFOR ET AL R. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A REACTION OF LIME AND SUCROSE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM SUGAR BEETS Filed August 15, 1924 3 Sheets-Shani 1 ATTORNEY.

July 27 1926. 1,593,782

R. W. SHAFOR ET AL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A REACTION OF LIME AND SUGROSE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM SUGAR BEETS Filed August 15, 1924 3 Sheets-Shoot 3 i \1 m LA ag; fi.

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July 27 1926.

w. SHAFOR ET AL R. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A REACTION OF LIME AND SUCROSE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF -SUGAR FROM SUGAR BEETS Filed August 15, 1924 3 Shee ts-Sheet F' H E M! //2 i :4 5 7' tl'iH 1min m new fl||| I I 11mm 'J 'MM 8 I N VEN TORS 17 8 BY a ITTORNEY.

Patented July 27, 1926.

UNITED RALPH W. SHAFOR, EDWIN MORRISON. ROBERT J. BROVJN, LAURENCE AND ALPI-IEUS It. 0F DENVER. OOLGlR-ADO. ASSIGNOB-S TO THE GB ERN SUGAR COMPANY, 01? DENVER. COLORADO, A.

, caries.

ooaroearron or new PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A REACTIQI OF LIMIE AND SUCR-GEE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM PE-UGAR BEETS.

Application filed August 15, 192 1:. Serial No. 732,310.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a chemical reaction between sucrose and quicklime (0210) in the process of recovering sugar from mo lasses residue, commonly known in the beet sugar industry as the stations process.

In the reaction occurring when the reagent- (CaOl isadded in. suitable quantities to the diluted molasses in the course of the above stated process. it is obviously desirable that the reagent should function to its maximum capacity in the minimum of time, and it is an object of our invention to attain this desideratum by imparting to the material under treatment a circulatory movement which by frequently occurring changes of direction and a consequei' t pulsating velocity, causes a continuous dis placement of the solid ph ase reagent relative tothe solution phase.

The displacement of the powdered reagent prevents agglomeration of its particles and by maintaining the particles in separated condition and moving them continuously through. the solution in .search of un exhausted regions the maximum efficiency of the reagent resulting from a constant maximum effective area, is insured.

Another object of the invention is to prevent in the reaction process as hereinabove described, the formation of foam by the inclusion of air. The foam which if allowed to form, is usually of a very persistent nature, is detrimental in that it obstructs the passage of the reagent to the solution upon which it floats, in that it appears to assist agglomeration of the particles of the reagent, and in that it complicates the separation of the precipitate from the mother liquor subsequent to the reaction process, and its absence is therefore of value and of considerable importance.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a novel method of circulating a cooling fluid through the material under treatment for the purpose of efliciently removing the heat evolved by the reaction, and further objects reside in details of construction and a novel arrangement of parts in the apparatus employed to carry our improved method of eifecting the reaction between the lime andeucrose. into practice. as will fully appear in the course of the following description. with reference to the accompanyin drawings.

in the drawings in which'like characters reference designate corresponding parts mighout the several views;- rgure 1 represents a partially sectional front elevation of the apparatus in its prefer red form 1 F i 'ure a vertical section taken on the line :4-2. Figure 1;

' Figure a sectional plan view of the apparatus drawn to reduced scale and Figures 4 and 5, sections in the plane of that sh. e in Figure 2, illustrating a method oi. increasing the capacity of the apparatus by multiplication of its units of circulative paths.

Referrii'ig in detail to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a bank of horizontal flues or refrigerant bafi ie 5 which are interconnected for the passage of a cooling fluid along a zig-zag course.

The lines extend transversely of a s Jace 6 which constitutes the circulation chamber in which the reaction between-the reagent and the sucrose in the solution is accom plished and which is divided by vertical partitions 7 to provide a path for the material in an upward and downward circulatory movement.

The outer compartn'1ents'8 of the circulation chamber connect at theirlower ends with circumferential egress ports of rotary centrifugal pump impellers 9 which are mounted for conjoint operation upon a horizontal shaft 10. The chamber is at its upper end surmounted by a vertical extension 12 to provide for a liquid seal above the bank of lines, sutficiently high to'prevent air from being drawn into the current of solution circulating around the fines under influence of the impellers.

The flues 5 extend between two upright side walls of a rectangular tank 13 which defines the circulation chamber mentioned hereinbefore, and they are interconnected for the circulation of the cooling fluid in a zig-zag course from one end of the bank to the other by narrow passageways 14 formed assassiexteriorly of the side walls of the container 13 and divided into cells of honeycomb formation by longitudinal partitions 15 and transverse partitions 15 formed integral with each other and with the respective walls of the container.

The cells of the two passageways divide the fines into series of four and they are relatively arranged so that the fluid passing in one direction through the fines of one series must return in the opposite direction through the fines of an adjoining series, and so that in this manner, a fluidtintroduced at one end of the bank as at 16 in Figure 1, must traverse all the series of the bank in succession to find the point of discharge which in the construction shown in the drawings, is at a corner of the bank opposite to that at which the fluid enters, as shown at 17 in Figure l.

In the operation of the apparatus, the tank or container 13 which encloses the centrifugal impellers, is filled to a level in the vertical extension above the bank of fines. with a batch of the molasses diluted with water until the resulting mixture contains approximately from 5 to 8% sucrose.

To this batch is added the powdered quicklime (C210) ground so that approxi mately 98% will pass a standard 200 mesh screen.

The reagent is preferably added to the solution while the apparatus is in operation, at a definite measured rate throughout the reaction period whereby the reaction is uniformly conducted until the process is completed.

For example: If 1,000 pounds of lime were to be added to the quantity of solution under treatment and the reaction time were set to 20 minutes, the lime would be fed into the tank at a rate of approximately pounds per minute.

The centrifugal pump impellers rotated by the connection of their shaft with a conveniently located motor through the medium of a pulley 18, initiate a rapid circulating movement of the mixture by forcing it upwardly in the outer compartments 8 of the circulation chamber.

After passing the .upper ends of the partitions by which the compartments are delined, the mixture returns by gravity to the impellers through the central compartment whose area is approximately equal to the sum of those of the outer compartments.

During the circulating movement thus produced, the material passes through the spaces between the cooling lines 5 and by arranging the dues in alternately staggered rows as indicated in Figure 1, the circulating liquid is compelled to follow a zigzag (nurse with numerous changes of direction and with a somewhat pulsating velocity.

As a result of this movement, the solution phase travels at a different rate than the solid phase reagent thereby causing a thorough interrnixture of the two ingredients and constant displacement of the lime particles in the solution, which together with the high velocity at which the m impelled, results in a maximum reaction between the lime and the sucrose during a fixed period with a minimum quantit of reagent.

The l'iG;. j of liquid maintained in the extension 15! excludes air from the path of the circulating current of liquid across the banl; of lines, and thereby prevents the formation of foam which as stated before. is detrimeir tal to the reaction and hinders the subsequent separation of the precipitated substances troin the mother liquor.

it will be understood in this connection, that in order to obtain the above stated advantage ot the head of liquid in the extension. the current velocity in the reaction chamber must be regulated to limit the rateof ravitation movement of the solution in the central compartment, so as to avoid the inclusion of air vith the liquid during its downward flow through said compartment.

The constant contact of the circulating mixture with the tines through which a cooling fluid is circulated in the manner hereinbefore described, removes the heat evolved by the reaction and by regulating the number of tubes in each series in accordance w'th the amount of cooling fluid supplied in a iixed time unit, any desired velocity may be maintained.

This is importantin the operation of the apparatus since the ei'iiciency of the cooling element varies directly with the velocity with which the cooling fluid circulates through the fines.

The apparatus as described hereinbefore, comprises a singlecirculation unit and it is to be understood that by multiplying these units the capacity of the apparatus may be increased to any desired extent. Thus, we have shown in Figures 1 and 5 two constructions in which by different arrangements of four impellers and the division of the reaction chamber into live compartments, four simultaneously moving currents are produced.

Having thus described our invention, it will be evident that its novel features, either separately or taken together, effect a material saving of time and labor with an equip-- ment of combined simplicity and practicability, while the amount of reagent required to precipitate a unit weight of sucrose in the solution is materially reduced.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sug .ar from sugar beets comprising a reaction U ii you

. and through the last series of the system.

chamber, an 'impellerto produce al-currentmovement of solution I in said chamber; and cooling flues extending transverselyof the chamber in the path-'of said movement.

2. Apparatus for 'produ'c ing a reaction-of l lime and sucrose in the manufacture ofsugar from sugar beets comprising a -reacti'oi'i" chamber, an impeller to produce acurrent movement of solution in said chamber, anda bank of flues extending transversely of the chamber in the pa-tlrof saidmovement, in an arrangemcnt for circulating a coolin'g fluid through the thies successively from-one end of the bank to another end-of the'sam" 3. Apparatus for producingareacti'ono lime and sucrose in the manufacture'of sugfrom sugar beets comprisinga reacti'oncham-w ar from sugar beets comprising a reaction ber-dividecl-to provide a ivertical course forchamber, an impeller to produce a=curr'ent= the circulatingmovement of a solution in the movement of solution in said'chamber, and chamber, cooling flues extending-across said i a bank of lines extending transversely of course,'an impeller'to effectthe-' movementof" the chamber in series interconnected for tli'euthesolution through the-course, and an ex--:. flow of acoolingflnid successively;fronrone tension ofthe"chamber abevettliecourses-tow series 'to anotherthroughout. the -banks admitfthe solution to a relatively high :'level'. r

AApparatUs forproducing'a'reaction of 10. Apparatus for producing areaction of; lime and sucrose inthe manufacture of sugar from'sugar beets compi'ising -a reaetion chamber, an impeller to produce a cur rent movement of solution in said chamber, and a cooling element comprising passageways at opposite-sides of the chamber, divided into compartments,andkasystem of flues extending-transversely of-the chamber between said passageways, the flues and the compartments being relatively arranged for the flow of a cooling fluid from a first flue of the system successively through the other flues along a zig-zag course to and through a last flue of the system.

5. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising a reaction chamber, an impeller to produce a current movement of solution in said chamber, and a cooling element comprising passageways at opposite sides of the chamber, divided into compartments, and a system of series of flues extending transversely of the chamber between said passage-ways, said series and compartments being relatively arranged for the flow of a cooling fluid from a first series of the system successively through the other series alternately in opposite directions to for the circulating movement of a solution in the chamber, cooling flues" extending across said-course, and airimpel 'ler to -effect the movement I of the solution a through "the course-.

8. Apparatus forproducing a reaction of i from sugar beets comprising}: a: reaction: chamber divided to provide a course forthe chamber, cooling-flees extending across said 1 course, and" an impellerto effect the move ment of the solution through the courses 9. Apparatus for producing :a reaction of-w from sugar beets comprising a reaction-chains ber partitionecl .to provide channels for! the up flow-of solution in 'theichamber and.- a chan' nel for thedown flow-of1thesame;impellers: to effect .theup' flowaof-isolutioniin thew-firsts mentioned ClltlllbQISji2111(l'1000ll11'g3fl1l85- exa tending across the chambers;

11. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising an upright tank, flues extending between opposite walls thereof and connected exteriorly of the same for the movement of a cooling fluid from one to another, upright partitions dividing the tank into communicating channels, and an impeller to effect the upflow of solution in one of the channels.

12. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising an upright tank, flues extending between opposite walls thereof and connected exteriorly of the same for the movement of a cooling fluid from one to another, upright partitions dividing the tank into communicating channels, and impellers to effect the up flow of solution in part of the channels- 13. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising an upright tank, flues extending between oppo site walls thereof and connected exteriorly of the same for the movement of a cooling fluid from one to another, upright partitions dividing the tank partially into communicating channels, there being a space for liquid above the channels, and an impeller at the lower end of one of the channels to effect the upfiow of solution through the same.

6. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising a reaction chamber, an impeller to produce a current movement of solution in said chamber, and rows of cooling flues extending in staggered formation across the chamber in the path of said movement.

7. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising a reaction chamber divided to provide a vertical course lime and sucrose in-the manufacture" of sugar circulating movement of a solution in: the

lime andsucrose' in the manufacture-of sugar 5 lime andsucrose in the manufacture of. sugar 14. The method of producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets consisting in cooling a batch of sucrose solution and reagent while circulating in an endless course under the constant influence of an impellent force and with a pulsating velocity caused by frequent changes of direction between turns of said course.

15. The method of producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets consisting in cooling a batch of sucr se solution and reagent while circulating in an endless course under the constant influence of an impellent force and subjecting the circulating mixture to frequent changes of direction in said course.

16. The method of producing reaction oi? lime and sucrose in the nnuiutacture of sugar from sugar beets consisting in cooling a batch of sucrose solution and reagent while circulating in an endless course under the constant influence of an impollent force and compelling the circulating mixture to follow a zig-zag path in said course by frequent changes of direction.

17. The method of producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets, consisting in cooling a batch of sucrose solution and reagent While moving in a course under the influence of an impellent force, and with a pulsating velocity caused by a sequence of short changes of direction in said course.

18. The method of producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets, consisting in cooling a batch of sucrose solution and reagent while moving in a Course under the influence of an impellent force, and with a pusating velocity caused by a sequence of short changes of direction in said course alternatel; in opposite directions.

19. Apparatus for producing a reaction of lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising an endless course for the circulatory movement of a sucrose solution, means to effect said movement, and. refrigerant bafiles across said course.

20. Apparatus for producing a reaction. of? lime and sucrose in the manufacture of sugar from sugar beets comprising an endless course for the circulatory movement oi a sucrose solution, means to effect said movement, and refrigerant loafi les across said course in staggered arrangement.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures.

RALPH W. SHAFOR. EDlVIN MORRISON. ROBERT J. BROWN. LAURENCE A. STENGER. ALPHEUS R. NEES. 

